WILL Advocate Kholeka Gcaleka get the nod to be Mzansi’s new public protector?
This question will be answered on Thursday afternoon, 19 October when the National Assembly meets at 2pm to debate her nomination and vote.
The Ad Hoc Committee that was established to nominate someone for appointment as Public Protector (PP) came up with Gcaleka’s name as its preferred candidate.
She needs 60% of votes in the National Assembly before her name goes to the president for approval and appointment.
She has the full support of the ANC and IFP, but the EFF made it clear during the interviews that they were against her appointment. The DA and Freedom Front Plus, who formed part of the Ad Hoc Committee, voted against her.
Gcaleka has been acting PP in the absence of Advocate Busisiwe Mkhwebane, who was impeached in September 2023 following recommendations by Parliament’s Committee for Section 194 that she should be fired.
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In September, President Cyril Ramaphosa wrote to her and gave his reasons why she was fired as Public Protector. Mkhwebane posted her dismissal letter on X (previously known as Twitter) on 13 September 2023 and said she'd challenge Ramaphosa’s decision.
She was suspended on 9 June 2022 following allegations of misconduct and incompetence. On 16 March 2021, the National Assembly established the Section 194 Committee of Enquiry to probe her fitness to hold office.
Mail & Guardian reported that the ruling party has ordered its MPs to ensure full attendance to gather a 60% majority to vote Gcaleka in as the new Public Protector.
The 41-year-old Gcaleka, who would be the youngest person to become Public Protector, has been accused of sucking up to Ramaphosa for the position.
The EFF said she “exhibited a serious lapse” in ethical judgment in the performance of her official duties, especially in the case involving Phala Phala, while the DA said she showed an “alarming lack of basic knowledge” of the legal framework.
Gcaleka cleared Ramaphosa of any wrongdoing in the Phala Phala farm scandal on 30 June 2023.
